It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to go to the theater and see a movie on the big screen again, and one of our most anticipated flicks of the summer is David Lowery’s The Green Knight, which hits theaters in the US on July 30.
Lowery is a truly unique moviemaker, capable of shifting gears between projects, and this looks to be his most ambitious film yet. That’s partly due to the source material, the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. One of the most enduring of the Arthurian legends, it reminds us that these English myths of chivalry and sacrifice are pretty dope. Here are some other classic Arthurian movies to binge before The Green Knight.
Excalibur
John Boorman’s 1981 epic might be the seminal Arthurian movie, a visually sumptuous feast of excess filmed in Ireland that launched the careers of several legendary actors like Patrick Stewart. The film follows the life of Arthur as he’s borne out of magical trickery, grows to rule, claims the titular magic sword and faces off against his rival Mordred in one last grand battle. Zack Snyder once said that it was his favorite movie of all time, which explains a lot—it’s overflowing with incredible imagery at the cost of relatable characters or believable dialogue.
The Sword In The Stone
For a generation of kids, this Disney animated classic was their first exposure to the heady world of Arthurian legend. As you’d expect from the House of Mouse, The Sword In The Stone dances around all of the weird sex stuff from the stories, but it hits the major plot points succinctly. When young Arthur meets the wizard Merlin, he’s educated on the fundamental forces of the universe and gains the knowledge he’ll need to rule before pulling out the blade. The wizard’s duel between Merlin and Mim is one of Disney’s most gleeful sequences ever, bursting with animated imagination. (Stream it on Disney+Stream it on Disney+)
King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword
We’re not going to argue that Guy Ritchie’s attempt to create an “Arthurian Cinematic Universe” is a great film, but it’s sure a fun one. This balls-out reinterpretation of the legend sees young Arthur raised by prostitutes, then fighting to understand his destiny and defeat his treacherous uncle, Vortigern. This is a wild attempt to meld the big story beats of the Arthur and the Round Table legend with the pacing and effects of a modern action film. And while it doesn’t always succeed, it’s a memorable take nonetheless. (Stream it on HBO MaxStream it on HBO Max)
Army Of Darkness
This one might take a little more liberties with the source material, but Army of Darkness is so great we’d be fools to leave it off. Sam Raimi followed up the first two Evil Dead films by taking a hairpin turn into a whole new genre. Protagonist Ash Williams is sucked through a vortex to the Middle Ages, where he gets embroiled in a conflict between Arthur and his nemesis, Duke Henry. Things get even more complicated when the nefarious Deadites pop up, as well as Ash’s evil clone. It’s a gas with some unforgettable sight gags and great practical and rear-projection effects. (Stream it on CinemaxStream it on Cinemax)
Camelot
The 1967 adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe Broadway hit musical might feel a little dated to modern viewers, but in its time it was the most sumptuous take on the Arthurian legend ever seen. Directed by Joshua Logan, it follows the conflict between Arthur and Lancelot, using flashbacks to illuminate the two men’s history together and the formation of the Round Table. Vanessa Redgrave is unforgettable as Guenevere, and the costuming (which won an Oscar) is on point. One warning: this puppy is long, clocking in at three straight hours, so you might want to book an intermission in the middle. (Stream it on HBO MaxStream it on HBO Max)
King Arthur: The Young Warlord
This film is actually a British miniseries edited together, but it’s a really interesting attempt at placing the Arthur of legend into a more accurate historical context. This Arthur is a Celtic leader who is working to fend off a Saxon invasion. Most of the legendary Round Table tropes are nowhere to be found here, but instead Arthur is presented as a gifted but flawed leader looking to preserve his way of life and learning to negotiate instead of slaughter. (Stream it on YouTubeYouTube or FlixFlingFlixFling)
Lancelot Of The Lake
Robert Bresson’s 1974 take on the Arthurian saga fits right in with that decade’s cinematic focus on grimy realism and questioning heroic tropes. Bresson’s cast of amateurs play through the betrayal of Arthur by his wife Guinevere and the knight Lancelot, with the king declaring war on his former friend and laying siege to his castle. It’s a gripping, brutally sad version of the tale that doesn’t skimp on the historical reality of the Middle Ages, with these legendary figures battling in a dirty, gory world where death is just around every corner.
Knightriders
The core drama of the Arthurian legend is extremely adaptable, and few directors played with it quite like horror master George Romero in 1981’s Knightriders. Transplanting the action to the modern era, the court of Camelot is now a traveling motorcycle show led by William. When a shadowy promoter named Bontempi promises fame and fortune and William’s lady love betrays him, we hit some familiar story beats in extremely unusual ways. This is an underrated entry in Romero’s filmography with some interesting performances. Oh, and Stephen King shows up eating a giant sandwich in one scene. (Stream it on TubiTubi and Pluto TVPluto TV)
The Four Diamonds
Much of the strength of the Arthurian legend lives in its ability to inspire us to better ourselves, and little-known Disney Channel movie The Four Diamonds is a prime example. Based on a short story written by 14-year-old Chris Millard shortly before he succumbed to cancer, it follows a squire of the Round Table named Millard as he strives to retrieve a quartet of magical gems. The film intersperses the fantasy elements with the real-life Millard’s own story, showing how the squire’s adventures reflect our reality. (Stream it on YouTubeStream it on YouTube)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The powerful thing about myths and legends is how they can be used as a jumping-off point for all kinds of stories. Case in point: this 1975 comedy made by the British troupe Monty Python. One of the most influential gatherings in humor history, Python was notorious for skewering any subject with surreal zeal, and their rendition of Arthur’s quest for the mystical cup is full of eternally-quotable scenes. Whether it’s the gory showdown with the Black Knight, the annoyance of the Knights who say Ni or the deployment of the Holy Hand Grenade, there’s never a dull moment here. (Stream it on NetflixStream it on Netflix)
